Cost Analyst

Henderson Products Inc.; Manchester (IA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Henderson Products is seeking a Cost Analyst to own cost accounting for our engineered‑to‑order manufacturing operations. You will manage job costing, maintain standard costs, perform variance analysis, and support inventory valuation.

This role reports to the Controller and collaborates with estimating, engineering, and operations to ensure accurate cost data fueling quotes and margin visibility. The ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s in Accounting/Finance with 3–6 years in cost/manufacturing

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• 3–6 years of cost accounting or manufacturing accounting experience, ideally in a job-shop, custom, or ETO environment.
• Ability to work independently on job costing, variance analysis, and inventory reconciliation with minimal supervision.
• Experience with ERP systems supporting job costing and inventory management (Epicor experience a plus).
• CMA or CPA a plus.
• Working knowledge of standard costing, BOMs, routings, and overhead allocation.
• Results-driven mindset, focused on delivering accurate, timely cost data to support quoting and margin decisions.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to analyze problems; categorize and simplify complex issues to deliver incremental improvement.
• Accuracy and detail focused.
• Team oriented, cross-functional collaboration.
• Competent with ERP systems, Microsoft Excel, and related tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead cost accounting for engineered-to-order manufacturing operations, including job costing, standard cost maintenance, variance analysis, and inventory valuation.
• Collaborate with estimating, engineering, and operations to ensure cost data drives quoting, margin visibility, and management reporting.
• Maintain and update cost records and standard costs; coordinate periodic standard cost updates.
• Perform monthly inventory reconciliation and support accurate cost of goods sold reporting.
• Analyze and report on job-level cost variances (material, labor, overhead) vs. quotes; document root causes.
• Refine standard costs, labor routings, and overhead rates based on actual experience; partner with estimating and engineering.
• Support month-end close activities related to cost accounting (journal entries, accruals, reconciliations).
• Provide ad hoc cost analysis for quoting, make-vs-buy decisions, and margin reviews for management.
• Support annual physical inventory and external audit requests related to cost accounting and inventory valuation.
• Assist ERP upgrade cost-workstreams (cost data conversion validation, costing, WIP).
• Assist in process improvement of finance functions.

Skills

Cost accounting

Manufacturing accounting

Variance analysis

ERP systems

Microsoft Excel

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance

CMA or CPA

Tools

Epicor ERP

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Career Opportunities with Henderson Products

A great place to work.

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WHO WE ARE:

Douglas Dynamics is North America’s premier manufacturer and up‑fitter of work truck attachments and equipment. We believe our employees and culture are as important as serving our customers. We value building a team and work environment where individuals can succeed professionally and personally. As a team member, you can expect to make a difference, have a direct impact on the mission of serving customers, advance your career, and find fulfillment in daily life.

We would love to have you join our team, where we offer top‑notch benefits, multiple avenues for advancement, and a great working environment.

HOW WE DO IT: GROW, IMPROVE, AND ENGAGE

These are our core values and how we win in the marketplace:

• Be Customer & Results Driven
• Anticipate the Possibilities
• Communicate Responsibly
• Develop Self & Others
• Get Better Every Day

HOW YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE:

The Cost Analyst owns cost accounting for our engineered‑to‑order manufacturing operations, including job costing, standard cost maintenance, variance analysis, and inventory valuation. The role requires strong analytical skills and an in‑depth understanding of job‑order costing and manufacturing accounting practices. Reporting to the Controller, the analyst partners closely with estimating, engineering, and operations to ensure cost data driving quoting, margin visibility, and management reporting is accurate and timely. Strong analytical and communication skills are critical to translate detailed cost data into actionable insights.

• Lead by example and promote winning behaviors across all teams.
• Maintain and update job costing and standard cost records.
• Perform monthly inventory reconciliation and support accurate inventory and cost‑of‑goods‑sold reporting.
• Analyze and report on job‑level cost variances (material, labor, overhead) versus quoted/estimated cost; investigate and document root causes.
• Partner with estimating and engineering to refine standard costs, labor routings, and overhead rates based on actual job experience.
• Support month‑end close activities related to cost accounting, including journal entries, accruals, and account reconciliations.
• Maintain the standard cost system (BOMs, routings, overhead rates) and coordinate periodic standard cost updates.
• Provide ad hoc cost analysis to support quoting, make‑vs‑buy decisions, and margin reviews for management.
• Serve as a key support contact for annual physical inventory and external audit requests related to cost accounting and inventory valuation.
• Support cost‑related workstreams of the ERP upgrade (e.g., validating costing data conversion, testing job costing and WIP functionality).
• Assist in process improvement of finance functions.

WHAT THIS ROLE NEEDS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.
• 3–6 years of cost accounting or manufacturing accounting experience, ideally in a job‑shop, custom, or ETO environment.
• Ability to work independently on job costing, variance analysis, and inventory reconciliation with minimal supervision.
• Experience with ERP systems supporting job costing and inventory management (Epicor experience a plus).
• CMA or CPA a plus.
• Working knowledge of standard costing, BOMs, routings, and overhead allocation.
• Results‑driven mindset, focused on delivering accurate, timely cost data to support quoting and margin decisions.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to analyze problems; categorize and simplify complex issues to deliver incremental improvement.
• Accuracy and detail focused.
• Team oriented, working with other employees across the company to effectively accomplish daily tasks.
• Strong analytical and communication skills to partner with estimating, engineering, and operations.
• Competent computer skills with ERP systems, Microsoft Excel, and other technical resources as required.

Our focus on integrity, teamwork, and high performance creates an ideal work environment for every one of our employees.

We offer competitive salaries, benefits, and opportunities for personal and professional growth. Discover our opportunities and come see all the ways you can do more at Douglas Dynamics.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Douglas Dynamics, LLC does not discriminate against qualified applicants in hiring based on race, color, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or any other characteristic protected by law.